Louth 2-13 Westmeath 0-11

Louth secured a comfortable eight point win over Westmeath in the opening fixture of this years Allianz League Division 3. Originally postponed from the previous week, due to the inclement weather conditions, Louth dominated the second half period, and ably assisted by a gale force breeze at times, ran out easy winners in the end.

Louth secured a comfortable eight point win over Westmeath in the opening fixture of this year’s Allianz League Division 3. Originally postponed from the previous week, due to the inclement weather conditions, Louth dominated the second half period, and ably assisted by a gale force breeze at times, ran out easy winners in the end.

Played in blustery and wet conditions in Pairc Seamus O'hEochaidh, Haggardstown, the ground underfoot was in perfect condition for both sets of players. Aided by a strong breeze, the Lake County grabbed the game’s opening score, thanks to the boot of Dessie Doan, whose long-range effort sailed over Sean Connor's crossbar. However, despite playing into the gale-force wind, Louth were quicker to settle. Full forward Shane Lennon was central to all of Louth's early dominance, scoring two of Louth's opening three scores and setting up Adrian Reid for the other. With just nine minutes on the clock, a long ball from centre half Dessie Finnegan eluded the Westmeath full back line and Lennon capitalised, rifling the ball past goalkeeper, Darren Quinn and into the top corner of the net. Bouyed by the goal, Louth further cemented their dominance, this time thanks to Derek Maguire, who also finished with aplomb when faced with a one-on-one with Quinn. However, the two goal salvo from the Louth full forward line stirred the Midlands county into action, and they claimed eight of the next nine scores of the half. Dennis Glennon was to the fore during this period and two pointed free kicks would help to keep the Westmeath men in touch. During their purple patch, John Heslin, Conor Lynam (2), David Glennon and Dolan, who rolled back the years with a sublime score from 35 metres on the stroke of half time, clawed Westmeath back into the contest. Indeed it took a fine one-handed stop from Connor to keep the men in red in front. Louth's only response during this period was a score from Lennon who slotted over following a one-two with Reid. Having been nine points to the good at one stage, Louth now took a one-point lead at half time, albeit with the aid of a strong breeze to come.
Half time: Louth 2-04 Westmeath 0-09

Half-time substitute, Brian Donnelly's impact on the game was instantaneous, and his score in the opening minute of the second period settled the men from the Wee County. Minutes later, Ray Finnegan scored his customary point from his wing back position, drilling the ball over right footed from 30 metres. Andy Mc Donnell was next to get his name on the score sheet, with a fantastic individual score from long range. Lennon added another, blazing the ball over the bar from 13 metres out after being set up by Ray Finnegan, with the goal at his mercy. A pointed free from Dennis Glennon was Westmeath's only response, as Louth assumed control of the ball. A quick brace from Lennon, the first of which, a left footed shot from 30 metres was a contender for score of the game pushed Louth even further in front. A flurry of substitutions from both sides didn't deter on Louth's dominance as the home side finished strongly, with captain Paddy Keenan, Reid and Lennon, again claiming fine scores. Westmeath's Fergal Wilson had the final say of the match, but alas for his side, it was too little, too late.
Full-time: Louth 2-13 Westmeath 0-11

Best for Louth were Aaron and Gerard Hoey, Ray and Dessie Finnegan in defence, Derek Crilly and Shane Lennon in attack, while substitute Brian Donnelly done well on his introduction.

Scorers: Shane Lennon (1-07), Derek Maguire (1-00), Adrian Reid (0-02), Brian Donnelly, Andy McDonnell, Ray Finnegan and Paddy Keenan (0-01) each.  

LOUTH: Sean Connor, Declan Byrne, Aaron Hoey, Gerard Hoey, Ray Finnegan, Dessie Finnegan, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Paddy Keenan, Ronan Carroll, Derek Crilly, Mark Brennan, Andy McDonnell, Derek Maguire, Shane Lennon, Adrian Reid.
Subs: Brian Donnelly for R Carroll (half time), Paraic Smith for Derek Maguire (59), JP Rooney for Mark Brennan (59), Ronan Greene for Adrian Reid (69).

WESTMEATH: Darren Quinn; John Gaffey, Robert English, Kevin Maguire; Francis Boyle, Kieran Gavin, Conor Jordan; John Heslin 0-1, Brendan Murtagh; Conor Lynam 0-2, Denis Glennon 0-3 (3 fr), Ger Egan; Paul Greville 0-1 (1fr), David Glennon 0-1, Dessie Dolan 0-2.
Subs: Kieran Martin for Kieran Gavin (25), Doran Harte for Conor Jordan (40), David Corroon for Brendan Murtagh (47), Fergal Wilson 0-1 for Denis Glennon (58), Paul Bannon for P Greville (65).

REFEREE: Pat McEnaney.

Listen to LMFM's Colum Corrigan's post-match interviews with Shane Lennon and Peter Fitzpatrick